ISC Daily News Summary

According to new data from the FFT, a school data and information organisation, the number of pupils persistently absent from school has doubled during the pandemic with more than 50 per cent of secondary school pupils classed as persistently absent in 2020-21. By Matilda Martin, Tes.

The Welsh Government is trebling funding to support teachers' mental health to £1.25m in light of the impact the pandemic has had on teacher wellbeing. By Bethan Lewis, BBC News.

Charities and headteachers have warned ministers that a predicted rise in child poverty affecting about 500,000 children will set back education, adding: "A hungry child can’t learn." By Will Hazell, iNews.

According to a poll from the University and College Union, universities in the UK are facing a “staff exodus” with two thirds of their employees considering leaving their jobs within the next five years. By Will Hazell, iNews.

The Times reports that grammar schools could be expected to help drive up academic standards by setting up academy trusts as part of government reforms set out in a white paper to be published next week. By Nicola Woolcock.

A report from the Commons Public Accounts Committee has warned that the Department for Education (DfE) does not have a handle on "excessive pay" for leaders of multi-academy trusts, with the number of trusts paying at least one individual in excess of £100,000 rising from 1,875 in 2019-20 to 2,245 in 2019-20. Tes.